Commonly used medications

Chapter 4

Managing your medications for kidney health

There are different types of medications for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Some medications slow down the progression of kidney disease and others treat the complications that may occur as a result of CKD. Others reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke. It is very important for your kidney health to take your medications as prescribed.

Medications often have two names: the generic name and the brand name used by the drug company to identify its version of the medication. Towards the end of this handbook, there is a chart showing examples of common brand names for various medications.

Below you will find information on some medications which are commonly used by patients with, or at risk for, chronic kidney disease. You may need to take some of these types of medications now or in the future, depending on your health situation.

Commonly used medications

Blood pressure medications

Blood pressure medications help to reduce your blood pressure. This reduces your risk of stroke and heart attack along with playing a very important role in protecting your kidneys from the damage of high blood pressure, with the goal of slowing down the decline of kidney function.

Different types of blood pressure medications work in different ways. Therefore, you may be prescribed two or more different types in order to reach your blood pressure goal. In addition to diuretics (see below), some of the more commonly used blood pressure medications include: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (end with “pril” examples: ramipril, enalapril, lisinopril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) (end in “sartan” examples: candesartan, losartan, irbesartan), beta-blockers (end in “lol” examples: metoprolol, bisoprolol, atenolol), calcium-channel blockers (examples: nifedipine XL, amlodipine), and alpha-blockers (end in “zosin” examples: doxazosin, terazosin).

Diuretics

Diuretics – also called “water pills” – are medications that help your kidneys get rid of extra sodium (or salt) and water, and reduce swelling. Extra salt and water in your body contributes to high blood pressure, so diuretics that help the body get rid of extra salt and water also help with blood pressure control. Examples include chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, furosemide (Lasix).

Flozins (also called Sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors)

Flozins are the latest class of medications shown to slow progression of kidney disease in people with Type 2 diabetes and other types of kidney disease (example: those with elevated protein in the urine). They are often used in combination with ACE inhibitors and ARBs. They are also used to treat patients with heart failure and help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and death from heart